Expatriot is an interesting word. If you look at its etymology, it means one who leaves his/her country. Not to be confused with someone who is unpatriotic! It is, in effect, simply someone who is living abroad. There are many types of "expats". Professionals working abroad, retirees, government workers, volunteers, or people who simply don't want to live in their native country anymore. Retirees are a growing segment of the expatriot community. The British have long been retiring to warmer, sunnier climates - the south of Spain or the south of France are favorites. Americans, in recent years have been attracted by lower costs in Mexico, Costa Rica, and more recently Nicaragua and Ecuador. Cuenca, Ecuador has really caught on lately (read about it). There are cities and towns like Cuenca, Malaga (Spain), San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), where expats can live almost as if they were home, spending their time with fellow expats, learning a minimal amount of the local language, but enjoying the local culture when they feel like it. Of course, it is now possible almost anywhere on earth to get cable or satellite television and watch shows from home, and with the internet and amazingly cheap telecommunications, keeping in touch is never an issue. 30 years ago, if you wanted to phone from Europe to the US, you'd be spending $10 a minute. Now, with Skype and Google voice, you can make calls for $.01 or $.02 per minute, or for free if it's from computer to computer.
With it becoming so easy to live abroad and not abandon your culture, it's no surprise that many people you wouldn't expect to live abroad are choosing to do so. They are not necessarily the interesting, adventurous people you'd imagine. In fact, they may not be as worldly as their circumstances would seem to dictate.
What about those who choose to live abroad for the adventure of it or because they feel alienated in their own country. My blog posts frequently come out of something only marginally related to the subject. This post came about when I was thinking of a French word that I've always loved: dépaysement. Literally dis-country-ment, or stripped of one's country. Le dépaysement has a number of meanings, but I particularly like the meaning being out of one's element, or not feeling at home. This can be felt without traveling. Have you ever heard someone say "I guess I just wasn't meant for these times" (there's an old Beach Boys song with that title)? Baudelaire wrote a poem "N'importe où hors du monde"(Anywhere out of the world) expressing his feeling of dépaysement on earth.
I have a friend who felt this way in the U.S. So at the age of 30 he left for Kyoto, Japan, where he has spent the last 30 years, only making rare, unsatifying trips back to the U.S. Most of us aren't subject to this extreme reaction to our home, but many of us experience a letdown when we return home from a long trip. Our feeling of alienation may not be an emotional predisposition, but rather a consequence of our travels. I wrote about this in an earlier post: "Reverse Culture Shock." Eventually we are "repatriated", but the initial feeling of not belonging can be quite strong, and sometimes quite depressing. It has nothing to do with our home country, but more to do with the joy we had abroad, where everything was new and exciting. I once returned from a trip and left the next day on another, just because I wasn't ready for my travels to end.
On a recent trip to assess new projects in Cambodia I paid a visit to the National Borei for Children. It is a government-run home for children with disabilities. The first thing that struck me was how nice the facility was. It is not what you'd expect in a developing economy. It is clean, spacious, and fairly well staffed (there can never be enough staffing for kids with disabilities, but they do their best). I met some Danish physical therapy students who were volunteering there. They were very happy with the hands-on experience they were getting.
When I got back to the U.S. I Googled the center because I'd forgotten a few details. I discovered a few blog posts by volunteers from a large (let it remain unnamed) for-profit organization that sends thousands of volunteers abroad each year. It was interesting to read their impressions - quite positive. This organization/company charges just over $3000 for one month for this as well as their other programs in Cambodia. Airfare is not included. Wow. ELI charges $585 for the same program. They have a few minor add-ons, but there is really no way to justify this. Marketing is expensive though, and they are masters of it.
Not many projects that we work with have as much online documentation as the National Borei for Children. We've written it up on our site and on our PDF brochure for Cambodia, but Google will serve you well. Here's a Youtube that a quick search turned up. We work with some other very interesting organizations in Cambodia. And Phnom Penh should be high on any traveler's list of destinations. I put together a photojournal of my recent trip here. PHOTOJOURNAL
I was surpised to see that Lonely Planet listed Chennai, India at number 9 on their list of the top 10 cities to visit in 2015. I love Chennai, but I don't think of it as a top tourist destination. Tourists like cities where they can walk down medieval streets, visit famous museums, move comfortably from place to place, check off the boxes on their "to do" list in 3 or 4 days. Chennai is a tricky city for a tourist. Things are decentralized, streets are completely off any logical grid, museums lack airconditioning, and there is a shortage of monumental architecture. There are few sights that will take your breath away. Lonely Planet points out the impending opening of the Metro Rail that should help movement around the city, and of course the amazing Dravidian temples.
I never say to friends, "Oh, you have to go to Chennai if you're traveling through India." They'll get more out of Agra, New Delhi, Varanassi, and a number of cities in Rajastan. Tourist destinations need to provide instant gratification. On the other hand if you have a month or two, Chennai rises to the top of the list. Why? Because there is so much that isn't immediately obvious. One of the reasons for this is that Chennai's great attraction is its culture. I've written a few posts about this already. Chennai and the state of Tamil Nadu are seen by other parts of India as being conservative. Women are less likely to embrace western fashion, the cuisine is much more likely to be vegetarian, classical Indian dance and music have been kept alive. All of this takes time to appreciate.
So what do I recommend in Chennai for those looking for tourist activities? Well, there's no Taj Mahal, but there is still much to see. There are some small but interesting museums. The well-known museum of bronzes is located in the Government Museum - a great collection of Victorian buildings in Central Chennai. The gallery of primarily Hindu bronzes dating from the 3rd century A.D. is a must.
Fort St. George gives you a taste of the British legacy in Chennai (see also my earlier post on the Gymkhana Club). This was the first British outpost in India, dating to 1644. The site is currently used for state government offices. The oldest Anglican Church in India, St. Mary's, built in the 17th century, is worth a visit. The namesake of Yale University, Elihu Yale, was actually married here in 1680 (the first registered marriage in the church). If you're a history buff, you'll like the Fort Museum as well - portraits, letters, etc.
South India is known for its Hindu temples. Chennai has some amazing examples. Strolling the neighborhood around the Kapaleeswarar Temple in the Mylapore district of Chennai as well as the temple grounds, you'll be fascinated by the activity and the commerce. Temple neighborhoods are always bustling. Worshippers buy flowers and fruits as offerings to the gods, so naturally there are stalls ans shops all around the area that cater to them.
Take in some dance or music performances if you can. This is unquestionably one of Chennai's strengths. Wandering through the campus of the famous dance and music school, Kalakshetra, is an amazing experience, with the rythmic sound of the feet of Bharat Natayam dancers or strains of karnatic music coming out of the bungalows that are scattered around the grounds. The school was founded by the famous danser Rukmini Devi in 1936 "with the sole purpose of resuscitating in modern India recognition of the priceless artistic traditions of our country and of imparting to the young the true spirit of Art, devoid of vulgarity and commercialism." Take a look at their website at http://www.kalakshetra.in/. The pictures are small, but give some idea of the atmosphere.
Just south of Chennai, is Dakshinachitra (http://www.dakshinachitra.net), an outdoor museum that seeks to preserve traditional homes that have been rescued from around South India. Make sure you plan on lunch there. They serve up excellent traditional meals that can complete the experience for you.
Many former ELI interns and volunteers say their international experience helped them get jobs or admission to their dream grad school programs. This isn’t surprising: many experts say working or studying abroad is often the key that opens doors to careers or new educational opportunities.
Use these helpful sources to help you boost your resume by making the most of your ELI adventure:
Remember, the work and study abroad movement is only going to get bigger. Universities in the US and around the world are expanding their international programs in part because they’re an effective way to set participants apart from the competition.
ELI has been sending students and adults abroad for many years. We can set you up with an international internship or a cheaper study abroad option.
On a recent trip to assess new projects in Cambodia I paid a visit to the National Borei for Children. It is a government-run home for children with disabilities. The first thing that struck me was how nice the facility was. It is not what you'd expect in a developing economy. It is clean, spacious, and fairly well staffed (there can never be enough staffing for kids with disabilities, but they do their best). I met some Danish physical therapy students who were volunteering there. They were very happy with the hands-on experience they were getting.
I was surpised to see that Lonely Planet listed Chennai, India at number 9 on their list of the top 10 cities to visit in 2015. I love Chennai, but I don't think of it as a top tourist destination. Tourists like cities where they can walk down medieval streets, visit famous museums, move comfortably from place to place, check off the boxes on their "to do" list in 3 or 4 days. Chennai is a tricky city for a tourist. Things are decentralized, streets are completely off any logical grid, museums lack airconditioning, and there is a shortage of monumental architecture. There are few sights that will take your breath away. Lonely Planet points out the impending opening of the Metro Rail that should help movement around the city, and of course the amazing Dravidian temples.
So what do I recommend in Chennai for those looking for tourist activities? Well, there's no Taj Mahal, but there is still much to see. There are some small but interesting museums. The well-known museum of bronzes is located in the Government Museum - a great collection of Victorian buildings in Central Chennai. The gallery of primarily Hindu bronzes dating from the 3rd century A.D. is a must.
